As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including ticketing and technology projects.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct, detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten days.
Pending this detailed response, I note that the Programme for Government commits to rolling out contactless fare payments on all public transport and to keeping fares low and affordable. The new solution will replace the Leap Card system, which has served over 9 million users since its 2011 launch but is now nearing end-of-life.
The NTA's Next Generation Ticketing project will provide for an upgraded ticketing system to facilitate a variety of payment methods on public transport services, including bus services. Fundamental to this project is a transition to an 'Account Based Ticketing' scheme incorporating mobile and card-based payments.
Following a competitive procurement process, in April 2024 the NTA awarded an overall framework contract for the design, supply, installation and operation of a new multi-modal ticketing system. The successful tenderer has designed, installed and operated similar systems internationally.
A multi-phase plan has been prepared to introduce this new system. In Phase 1 which is targeted for completion by summer 2027, the new ticketing system will be developed, which will include integration with existing Leap cards so that Leap cards can be used on the new equipment.
Phase 2 will see the rollout of devices on bus and Luas services in the Greater Dublin Area, while Phase 3 will similarly see the rollout of devices and turnstiles at all Irish Rail stations in the Greater Dublin Area. To ensure the operability of the 90-minute multi-modal fare within the Greater Dublin Area, Phase 2 and Phase 3 will go live simultaneously, with a current target date of summer 2028. From this point, public transport users in the Greater Dublin Area will be able to use contactless payment across all modes.
Following this, Phase 4 will roll out ticket machines and devices on commuter buses and regional services beyond the Greater Dublin Area.
In advance of Next Generation Ticketing being deployed in Cork, the NTA is undertaking a project at present to improve the current ticketing system on city buses in Cork. Currently, all bus passengers on Cork City services have to go to the bus driver to pay for the bus journey, whether by cash or by Leap card. This requirement for all passengers to interact with the bus driver adds considerably to boarding time on buses and lengthens overall bus journey times.
To improve this arrangement, the NTA is planning to install Leap card validators on an entry pole at the front door of each bus. This provision will allow boarding passengers to just tap their Leap card or Free Travel Pass on the validator upon entry without having to go to the driver, substantially speeding up boarding times on buses.
